Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide strategic leadership and oversight in development, implementation, management and maintenance of all aspects of the NEC's Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Information Management and Information Technology (IM&IT) activities to support and enhance effective Niagara Escarpment program implementation.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In an organization with multiple locations, job requires:
1. Providing leadership, expertise, oversight and coordination related to NEC's GIS, IM&IT requirements by:
a. Providing operational and technical support of GIS applications, software, database management, data, information management and information technology to NEC staff.
b. Leading projects and overseeing GIS development, and program delivery, including:
- approaches to customize databases and GIS applications
- high level GIS analysis and output of spatial and tabular data
c. Devising IM&IT approaches that are integrative and consider long term implications of solution.
d. Overseeing administration of NEC IT business needs, including:
- evaluation of technology needs
- managing IT inventory and evaluation of future needs, including making recommendations on improvements and upgrades
- working with LRC to evaluate opportunities and consider in light of MNRF's IM&IT Strategy
e. Providing leadership and direction to technical staff, and oversight of GIS, IM&IT approaches and program delivery, including diagnosis of issues and recommending approaches to resolve them.
f. Managing and maintaining NEC's GIS, as well as relational and other databases.
g. Evaluation of data analytics, including recommending strategies for program efficiencies and improvements.

2. Designing and determining appropriate analytical methods, database strategies, data management solutions and GIS applications by:
a. Analyzing and recommending data management options/strategies to clients such as sharing or integrating data and technology across different programs/areas and using new technology or data management methods.
b. Leading teams and projects to advance the NEC's GIS, IM&IT objectives.
c. Consulting with management, staff and partners on the analysis of data, management of information and GIS needs related to program goals/objectives and short/medium/long term business plans and strategies.
d. Conducting or coordinating attainment and analysis of data to optimize effective and efficient program implementation.
e. Applying concepts of spatial analysis to environmental planning and management problems/issues, and developing specialized map products through use of innovative techniques to analyze and visualize multi-thematic spatial data, with a sound understanding of spatial statistics and spatial modeling concepts.
f. Supporting enhancements to the NEC's Compliance Program, including leading development of projects (in conjunction with LRC for IT projects), databases, analytical tools and GIS tools to enhance program implementation and effectiveness.

3. Leading special projects in support of program implementation, including:
a. Development of business cases and strategic evaluation of alternative approaches to advance the NEC's GIS, IM&IT to improve execution and performance of the Niagara Escarpment program.
b. Initiatives to streamline regulations under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act (e.g.; establishing digital representation of Development Control and Planning Area boundaries).
c. Approaches to capture and display of data to support environmental and Plan Implementation monitoring.

4. Developing and conducting training for staff and users by:
a. Providing advisory technical services in the maintenance of geographic information and information management tools and processes including support and training.
b. Providing technical guidance and support to users and clients in the use of geographic information, data management, administration tools, techniques and emerging technologies related to geospatial data.

5. Leading and/or participating on Ministry or NEC working groups or teams and maintaining/developing networking links for information exchange to optimize consistent delivery and continual improvement of the GIS and information management programs by:
a. Participating as the NEC's representation on Ministry IM&IT committees and working groups.
b. Engaging partners and stakeholders regarding data and evaluation tools.
c. Leading projects to advance NEC's operational strategies.
d. Act as the NEC's one-window access point to the LRC and MNRF on matters related to GIS and IM&IT.

6. Developing, maintaining or coordinating the acquisition of GIS, databases and applications including:
a. Interfacing with clients and partners regarding sharing or integration of data and technology across programs and areas of the NEC.
b. Ensuring integrity of data by following information management best practices.
c. Making recommendations regarding use of new technology, data management or web based methods or tools.

7. Providing regular updates and disseminating information regarding IM&IT best practices, to support organizational effectiveness and achievement of Ministry/ OPS directives and policies.

8. Direct the work of and act as mentor and team lead to GIS & IM/IT Business Analyst, summer student positions and occasional contract staff.

9. Additional duties as assigned by the manager.

Staffing and Licensing :

N/A

Knowledge :

1. Strong technical knowledge and experience in geographic information systems, remote sensing, digital mapping, GPS and other computer technologies in order to develop effective solutions to meet client requirements, and oversee support and training for staff.
2. Knowledge of computer system technologies, including hardware/software, operating systems, application software and database management software to design, implement, and test database systems that will respond to client needs; evaluate database/data management software and evaluate software issues.
3. Theory, principles and practices of GIS, information management and information technologies in order to advise on general and specific technology products, contribute to the development of IM&IT components of the NEC's strategic and annual business plans, and operational strategies.
4. Organizational awareness to manage the relationship between the NEC, MNRF and LRC, and provide the organization with practical and cost effective approaches to program implementation.
5. Communication, networking and writing techniques to effectively make presentations, prepare reports, prepare strategies and prepare IM&IT business cases. Communication skills to effectively engage clients, and to effectively develop approaches and deliver technical knowledge transfer and solutions regarding GIS, IM&IT projects and approaches.
6. Strategic thinking and political acuity to assess NEC business functions, requirements and emerging trends; to provide advice for strategic planning and program implementation; and to negotiate with internal and external clients and partners for the development, enhancement and sharing of provincial geographic information, and other data to support program effectiveness.
7. Business process modelling and mapping, performance measurement and change management to perform analysis, as well as develop and implement recommendations for program improvements.
8. Risk assessment and risk management principles to make recommendations on GIS, IM&IT approaches and complex issues.
9. Corporate and Ministry IM&IT strategies, objectives and standards, to assess alignment of recommendations with corporate, LRC and Ministry objectives and standards.
10. Project management and work management skills/techniques to lead, plan, monitor and deliver a range of integrated projects and deliverables, with multiple clients and partners.
11. Knowledge of the Ontario land use planning system, legislation and regulations related to the Niagara Escarpment, and rules of evidence and court procedures to support legal proceedings when preparing legal documents and providing testimony.
12. Knowledge of available provincial GIS and related geographic information and data sets, including policies and guidelines governing their use.

Skills :

1. Leadership skills to effectively lead teams, influence colleagues and direct projects and the work of junior staff toward optimal results.
2. Strategic thinking, coordinating, planning, and problem solving in order to evaluate program needs (near and longer term); develop effective implementation approaches; engage with staff, partners and clients; prepare business cases, and lead development and implementation of the NEC's GIS and IM&IT programs.
3. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills to analyse information, data management and information integration requirements, and to develop data management and process models.
4. Strong communications skills to lead teams and projects, and to advocate strongly on behalf of the NEC with LRC and MNRF colleagues, and collaborators.
5. Analytical and interpretive skills to compile geospatial databases that deliver intended objectives; develop or modify customized GIS applications; processes; and data management in support of program initiatives.
6. Technical skills related to: GIS, information technology and information management to evaluate requirements, develop options and make recommendations on database and GIS approaches; analytical tools to test new software and develop approaches to evaluate problems and assess viability.
7. Advanced understanding of programming, spatial statistics and spatial modelling, skills to develop and implement local client focused GIS applications.
8. Strong client service, interpersonal and negotiation skills to effectively engage with staff, partners and clients, and to support effective engagement and strategic analysis of needs to advance NEC interests and program development.
9. Coordinating and project management skills to effectively develop and implement short and long term initiatives.

Freedom of Action :

1. Position involves exercising latitude for decision-making in implementing and coordinating GIS and data management strategies for the NEC and recommending approaches and policies; identifying opportunities for data sharing and integration across projects; coordinating testing and implementing plans.
2. Position provides oversight, team leadership and mentoring to staff within GIS, IM&IT Unit; is responsible for setting priorities of the Unit and ensuring quality control. Position directs the work of the unit and is responsible and accountable for achieving results.
3. Position requires making decisions regarding development of products (e.g.; maps, data organization and presentation). Position work with minimal supervision, establishing and balancing project priorities to meet organizational needs. Manager reviews work at agreed project stages to ensure progress on objectives and deliverables, and where complexities and challenges arise.
4. Position leads provision of GIS, IM&IT support to Integrated Teams, and is responsible for ensuring transfer of knowledge, engagement of staff, trouble-shooting problems and gaining support for new approaches.
5. Position requires leading projects and providing oversight to implementation of GIS, IM&IT initiatives in accordance with Ministry policies and directives, and established procedures in dealing with GIS and other data management and information access procedures (e.g.; FOI procedures; license agreements).
6. Job develops projects, and oversees studies and pilot projects including identifying resource needs, implementation approaches, and support for program delivery.
7. Job is responsible for providing quality analysis and advice to support business needs.